Humidity controller apparatus

ABSTRACT

A humidity controller apparatus ( 20 ) contains an adsorption rotor ( 24 ) and a heater ( 25 ). A first passage ( 21 ) along which a first air stream flows and a second passage ( 22 ) along which a second air stream flows are formed in the humidity controller apparatus ( 20 ). The amount of heat exchange between the first and second air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between the first and second air streams vary by adjustment to the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor ( 24 ), and the humidity controller apparatus ( 20 ) is switched between a dehumidification operation and a humidification/heating operation. During the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor ( 24 ) is set low. The first air stream is dehumidified by the adsorption rotor ( 24 ) and then supplied to the inside of a room. The second air stream is used for regeneration of the adsorption rotor ( 24 ) and then discharged to the outside of the room. During the humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor ( 24 ) is set high. The first air stream receives heat and moisture from the adsorption rotor ( 24 ) and then is supplied to the inside of the room. The second air stream is heat/moisture-adsorbed by the adsorption rotor ( 24 ) and then discharged to the outside of the room.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a humidity controller apparatus forproviding room dehumidification or humidification.

BACKGROUND ART

Humidity controller apparatuses of the type which provide roomdehumidification or humidification by making utilization of an adsorbentare known in the prior art. One such humidity controller apparatus isdisclosed in for example JP Patent Application Publication (Kokai) No.2002-349905. This humidity controller apparatus includes two airpassages and a dehumidifier with an adsorbent. The dehumidifier isdisposed, such that it extends over both the air passages. In addition,in the humidity controller apparatus, a first switching valve isdisposed on the entrance side of the air passages while, on the otherhand, a second switching valve is disposed on the exit side of the airpassages. By operation of the first switching valve, the air passages,into which room air and outside air are introduced, are switched. Byoperation of the second switching valve, an air stream after passagethrough each air passage is switchably guided to the inside or to theoutside of a room.

During a dehumidification operation of the humidity controllerapparatus, outside air taken into one of the air passages isdehumidified by the dehumidifier. Then, the dehumidified outside air issupplied to the inside of the room. Room air taken into the other airpassage is used for regeneration of the dehumidifier. Then, the room airis discharged to the outside of the room. On the other hand, during ahumidification operation of the humidity controller apparatus, room airtaken into the one air passage is dehumidified by the dehumidifier.Then, the dehumidified room air is discharged to the outside of theroom. Outside air taken into the other passage is humidified by moisturedesorbed from the dehumidifier. Then, the humidified outside air issupplied to the inside of the room. As described above, the air passagesare switched by the two switching valves in the humidity controllerapparatus, for providing room dehumidification and humidification.

In addition, humidity controller apparatuses of the type which makeutilization of the exhaust gas of a gas-turbine engine electric powergenerator are known in the art. One such humidity controller apparatusis disclosed in JP Patent Application Publication (Kokai) No.2003-42006. This humidity controller apparatus is provided with apassage for the supply of air along which outside air flows and apassage for the discharge of air along which room air flows. Thehumidity controller apparatus further includes two flow paths alongwhich the exhaust gas flows. In addition, the humidity controllerapparatus is provided with a switching damper for selectively switchablyintroducing the exhaust gas into either one of the flow paths.

During the dehumidification operation, the exhaust gas is introduced,through one of the flow paths, into the regeneration side of adehumidification rotor. The exhaust gas is used to regenerate thedehumidification rotor and then discharged to the outside of the room.Outside air taken into the air supply passage is dehumidified in theadsorption side of the dehumidification rotor, is cooled as a result ofheat exchange with the room air in a sensible heat exchanger, and thenis supplied into the inside of the room. On the other hand, during theheating operation, the exhaust gas is introduced, through the other flowpath, into the upstream side of the sensible heat exchanger in the airexhaust passage. Room air taken into the air exhaust passage is heatedas a result of being mixed with the exhaust gas and then introduced intothe sensible heat exchanger. Outside air taken into the air supplypassage passes through the dehumidification rotor at rest, is heated asa result of heat exchange with the room air in the sensible heatexchanger, and then is supplied into the inside of the room. In the wayas described above, switching of the flow path along which the exhaustgas flows is made by the switching damper, whereby room dehumidificationand room humidification are provided.

PROBLEMS THAT INVENTION INTENDS TO SOLVE

The aforesaid JP Patent Application Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-349905makes it possible for a single humidity controller apparatus toselectively switch between a room dehumidification operation and a roomhumidification operation. However, this humidity controller apparatusrequires the provision of two switching valves for switching between theroom dehumidification operation and the room humidification operation,which produces the problem that the humidity controller apparatusbecomes complicated in structure and the costs increase.

On the other hand, the operation of the humidity controller apparatusdisclosed in JP Patent Application Publication (Kokai) No. 2003-42006 isswitched by just operating the switching damper capable of switching ofthe passage along which the exhaust gas flows, thereby making itsstructure simpler than that of the humidity controller apparatus of JPPatent Application Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-349905. However, theproblem with this humidity controller apparatus is that it provides onlyair dehumidification and heating, in other words air humidification isunavailable. Besides, since the exhaust gas is hot, this causes anotherproblem with the switching damper for switching of the flow of theexhaust gas, in other words it becomes difficult to secure thereliability of the switching damper.

With the above-described problems in mind, the present invention wasmade. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide ahumidity controller apparatus which provides dehumidification andhumidification without the use of switching valves, which has a simplestructure, and which is highly reliable.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A first invention is provided which is directed to a humidity controllerapparatus which is selectively switchable between a dehumidificationoperation for dehumidifying a supply of air to a room, and ahumidification/heating operation for humidifying and heating a supply ofair to the room. And, the humidity controller apparatus of the firstinvention comprises: a first passage (21) along which a first air streamflows towards the inside of the room; a second passage (22) along whicha second air stream flows towards the outside of the room; a humiditycontrol part (23), provided with an adsorbent which is contactable withthe first and second air streams, for causing heat exchange and moistureexchange between the first and second air streams, the humidity controlpart (23) being configured such that the amount of heat exchange betweenthe first and second air streams and the amount of moisture exchangebetween the first and second air streams are adjustable; and a heatingmeans (25) for heating the second air stream which is sent to thehumidity control part (23). In the humidity controller apparatus of thefirst invention, switching between the dehumidification operation andthe humidification/heating operation is made by adjustment to the amountof heat exchange and the amount of moisture exchange in the humiditycontrol part (23).

A second invention according to the first invention is provided inwhich: the humidity control part (23), provided with arotationally-driven adsorption rotor (24) which has a surface on whichis supported an adsorbent and which is disposed so as to extend overboth the first passage (21) and the second passage (22), is configuredsuch that the amount of heat exchange and the amount of moistureexchange are adjusted by making changes in the rotational speed of theadsorption rotor (24); and the rotational speed of the adsorption rotor(24) during the humidification/heading operation is set higher than thatduring the dehumidification operation.

A third invention according to the second invention is provided in whichthe heating means (25) heats the second air stream to form a temperaturedistribution therein so that, in the adsorption rotor (24) extendingacross the second passage (22), a terminal end portion of the adsorptionrotor (24) in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24) comesinto contact with a part of the second air stream having a highertemperature than a part of the second air stream which a leading endportion of the adsorption rotor (24) comes into contact with.

A fourth invention according to the first invention is provided in whichthe humidity controller apparatus comprises a sensible heat exchangerfor effecting heat exchange between the first air stream after passagethrough the humidity control part (23) and the second air stream beforesubjected to heating by the heating means (25).

A fifth invention according to the fourth invention is provided inwhich: a rotating rotor (26) which is rotationally driven is provided asa sensible heat exchanger; the rotating rotor (26) being so disposed asto extend over both the first passage (21) and the second passage (22);and the rotating rotor (26) absorbing heat from either one of the firstand second air streams and then giving off the heat to the other of thefirst and second air streams.

A sixth invention according to the fourth invention is provided in whicha heat exchange member (27), in which flow paths for the first airstream and flow paths for the second air stream are alternately formedin a large number for mutual heat exchange between the first and secondstreams flowing through the respective flow paths, is provided as asensible heat exchanger.

A seventh invention according to the fifth invention is provided inwhich the rotating rotor (26) is rotationally driven during thedehumidification operation but is stopped during thehumidification/heating operation.

An eighth invention according to any one of the fourth to sixthinventions is provided in which an exhaust passage (30), for dischargeof a portion of the second air stream after passage through the sensibleheat exchanger but before subjected to heating by the heating means(25), is connected to the second passage (22).

A ninth invention according the first invention is provided in which theheating means (25) is so configured as to heat the second air stream bymixing into the second air stream a heating gas higher in temperatureand absolute humidity than the second air stream.

A tenth invention according to the ninth invention is provided in whichthe heating means (25) mixes into the second air stream an exhaust gasemitted from an electric power generator (40) as a heating gas.

An eleventh invention is provided which is directed to a humiditycontroller apparatus which is selectively switchable between adehumidification/cooling operation for dehumidifying and cooling asupply of air to a room, and a humidification operation for humidifyinga supply of air to the room. The humidity controller apparatus of theeleventh invention comprises: a first passage (21) along which a firstair stream flows towards the outside of the room; a second passage (22)along which a second air stream flows towards the inside of the room; ahumidity control part (23), provided with an adsorbent which iscontactable with the first and second air streams, for causing heatexchange and moisture exchange between the first and second air streams,the humidity control part (23) being configured such that the amount ofheat exchange between the first and second air streams and the amount ofmoisture exchange between the first and second air streams areadjustable; and a heating means (25) which heats the second air streamwhich is sent to the humidity control part (23) during thehumidification operation, and which stops heating the second air streamduring the dehumidification/cooling operation. In the humiditycontroller apparatus of the eleventh invention, switching between thedehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operation ismade by adjustment to the amount of heat exchange and the amount ofmoisture exchange in the humidity control part (23).

A twelfth invention according to the eleventh invention is provided inwhich: the humidity control part (23), provided with arotationally-driven adsorption rotor (24) which has a surface on whichis supported an adsorbent and which is disposed so as to extend overboth the first passage (21) and the second passage (22), is configuredsuch that the amount of heat exchange and the amount of moistureexchange are adjusted by making changes in the rotational speed of theadsorption rotor (24); and the rotational speed of the adsorption rotor(24) during the dehumidification/cooling operation is set higher thanthat during the humidification operation.

A thirteenth invention according to the twelfth invention is provided inwhich the heating means (25) heats the second air stream to form atemperature distribution therein so that, in the adsorption rotor (24)extending across the second passage (22), a terminal end portion of theadsorption rotor (24) in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor(24) comes into contact with a part of the second air stream having ahigher temperature than a part of the second air stream which a leadingend portion of the adsorption rotor (24) comes into contact with.

A fourteenth invention according to the eleventh invention is providedin which the humidity controller apparatus comprises a sensible heatexchanger for effecting heat exchange between the first air stream afterpassage through the humidity control part (23) and the second air streambefore subjected to heating by the heating means (25).

A fifteenth invention according to the fourteenth invention is providedin which: a rotating rotor (26) which is rotationally driven is providedas a sensible heat exchanger; the rotating rotor (26) being so disposedas to extend over both the first passage (21) and the second passage(22); and the rotating rotor (26) absorbing heat from either one of thefirst and second air streams and then giving off the heat to the otherof the first and second air streams.

A sixteenth invention according to the fourteenth invention is providedin which a heat exchange member (27), in which flow paths for the firstair stream and flow paths for the second air stream are alternatelyformed in a large number for mutual heat exchange between the first andsecond streams flowing through the respective flow paths, is provided asa sensible heat exchanger.

A seventeenth invention according to any of the fourteenth to sixteenthinventions is provided in which the heating means (25) is so configuredas to heat the second air stream by heat exchange, in the sensible heatexchanger, between the first air stream heated by mixing-in of a heatinggas having a higher temperature than the second air stream and thesecond air stream.

Finally, an eighteenth invention according to the seventeenth inventionis provided in which the heating means (25) mixes into the first airstream an exhaust gas emitted from an electric power generator (40) as aheating gas.

Working Operation

In the first invention, the humidity controller apparatus (20) switchesbetween a dehumidification operation for dehumidifying a supply of airto a room and a humidification/heating operation for humidifying andheating a supply of air to the room. Switching between thedehumidification operation and the humidification/heating operation ismade by adjustment to the amount of heat exchange between the first andsecond air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between the firstand second air streams in the humidity control part (23).

During the dehumidification operation, the amount of heat exchange andthe amount of moisture exchange in the humidity control part (23) areset so that the first air stream is dehumidified in the humidity controlpart (23). In the humidity control part (23), moisture present in thefirst air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Then, the dehumidifiedfirst air stream is supplied to the inside of the room. In addition, theadsorbent is heated by the high-temperature second air stream in thehumidity control part (23), and the adsorbent is regenerated.

On the other hand, during the humidification/heating operation, theamount of heat exchange and the amount of moisture exchange in thehumidity control part (23) are set so that the first air stream isheated and humidified in the humidity control part (23). In the humiditycontrol part (23), the second air stream heated by the heating means(25) exchanges heat with the first air stream. As a result, the firstair stream is heated. In addition, in the humidity control part (23),moisture present in the second air stream travels, through theadsorbent, to the first air stream. As a result, the first air stream isalso humidified.

In the second invention, the amount of heat exchange between the firstand second air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between thefirst and second air streams are controlled by varying the rotatingspeed of the adsorption rotor (24).

During the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at a predetermined value. In a portion ofthe adsorption rotor (24) that extends across the second passage (22),the adsorbent is heated by the second air stream and as a result isregenerated. The desorbed moisture is given to the second air stream. Inthe portion of the adsorption rotor (24) which has changed position tothe first passage (21) from the second passage (22), moisture present inthe first air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. In this way, betweenthe first and second air streams introduced into the humidity controlpart (23), moisture exchange through the adsorbent of the adsorptionrotor (24) mainly takes place.

On the other hand, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24)during the humidification/heating operation is set higher than thatduring the dehumidification operation. A portion of the adsorption rotor(24) that extends across the second passage (22) comes into contact withthe second air stream heated by the heating means (25), and is heated bythe second air stream. At that time, some of the moisture present in thesecond air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor(24). The portion of the adsorption rotor (24) that has changed positionto the first passage (21) from the second passage (22) comes intocontact with the first air stream. The rotating speed of the adsorptionrotor (24) is fast during the humidification/heating operation, so that,when focusing attention on a specific portion of the adsorption rotor(24), the time required for that specific portion to pass through thefirst passage (21) is short. As the result of this, the portion of theadsorption rotor (24) extending across the first passage (21) enterssuch a state that its temperature is held relatively high.

Accordingly, in the first passage (21), the difference in temperaturebetween the adsorption rotor (24) and the first air stream widens and asa result the amount of heat applied to the first air stream from theadsorption rotor (24) increases. In addition, at that time, some amountof moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24)and given to the first air stream. In this way, between the first andsecond air streams introduced into the humidity control part (23), heatexchange and moisture exchange through the adsorption rotor (24) takeplace.

In the third invention, the second air stream with formation of atemperature distribution is supplied to the humidity control part (23).Here, when focusing attention on a specific portion of the adsorptionrotor (24) which has changed position to the second passage (22), thetemperature of that specific portion becomes higher during movementthrough the second passage (22). Therefore, in the third invention, forthe adsorption rotor (24) which extends across the second passage (22),a portion thereof positioned nearer to the terminal end in the rotatingdirection of the adsorption rotor (24) is supplied with the second airstream having a higher temperature. In other words, the second airstream having a relatively low temperature is supplied to a portion ofthe adsorption rotor (24) which has just moved to the second passage(22) while on the other hand the second air stream having a relativelyhigh temperature is supplied to a portion of the adsorption rotor (24)which has risen in temperature because of being in contact with thesecond air stream for a long period of time.

In the fourth invention, in the sensible heat exchanger, heat exchangetakes place between the first air stream and the second air stream.

In the fifth invention, the rotating rotor (26) constitutes a sensibleheat exchanger. For example, when causing heat to move to the second airstream from the first air stream, a portion of the rotating rotor (26)extending across the first passage (21) is heated by the first airstream. The portion of the rotating rotor (26) which has absorbed theheat from the first air stream moves to the second passage (22). And,the portion of the rotating rotor (26) which has changed position to thesecond passage (22) gives off the heat to the second air stream. In thisway, between the first air stream and the second air stream, heatexchange takes place through the rotating rotor (26).

In the sixth invention, the heat exchange member (27) constitutes asensible heat exchanger. Flow paths for the first air stream and flowpaths for the second air stream are alternately formed in the heatexchange member (27). And, in the heat exchange member (27), heatexchange takes place between the first air stream and the second airstream while the first and second air streams pass through theirrespective flow paths.

In the seventh invention, the rotating rotor (26) is rotationally drivenduring the dehumidification operation, and heat exchange takes place,through the rotating rotor (26), between the first air stream and thesecond air stream. On the other hand, during the humidification/heatingoperation, the rotating rotor (26) is placed in the stopped state.Stated another way, during the humidification/heating operation, thefirst and second air streams flow through the rotating rotor (26) atrest. Consequently, no heat exchange takes place between the first airstream and the second air stream.

In the eighth invention, the exhaust passage (30) is connected to thesecond passage (22). A portion of the second air stream after passagethrough the sensible heat exchanger is discharged out of the exhaustpassage (30). As a result, the flow rate of the second air stream whichis heated by the heating means (25) decreases and the temperature of thesecond air stream after heating rises. Consequently, the second airstream of higher temperature is supplied to the humidity control part(23), and the amount of moisture desorbing from the adsorbent increases.

In the ninth invention, the heating means (25) mixes a heating gas intothe second air stream. Thereby, heat and moisture in the heating gas aregiven to the second air stream and as a result the second air streamincreases in temperature and absolute humidity. In the humidity controlpart (23), the amount of heat exchange and the amount of moistureexchange increase proportionally to the amount of heat and the amount ofmoisture given to the second air stream from the heating gas.

In the tenth invention, the exhaust gas of the electric power generator(40) is used as a heating gas. In other words, the exhaust gas of theelectric power generator (40) is utilized to operate the humiditycontroller apparatus (20).

In the eleventh invention, the humidity controller apparatus (20)switches between a dehumidification/cooling operation for dehumidifyingand cooling a supply of air to a room, and a humidification forhumidifying a supply of air to the room. Switching between thedehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operation ismade by adjustment to the amount of heat exchange between the first andsecond air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between the firstand second air streams in the humidity control part (23).

During the dehumidification/cooling operation, the amount of heatexchange and the amount of moisture exchange in the humidity controlpart (23) are set so that the second air stream is subjected todehumidification and cooling in the humidity control part (23). Heatingof the second air stream by the heating means (25) is stopped, and thesecond air stream without application of heat is supplied to thehumidity control part (23). In the humidity control part (23), thesecond air stream exchanges heat with the first air stream. As a result,the second air stream is cooled. In addition, in the humidity controlpart (23), moisture present in the second air stream moves to the firstair stream through the adsorbent, and dehumidification of the second airstream also takes place.

On the other hand, during the humidification operation, the amount ofheat exchange and the amount of moisture exchange in the humiditycontrol part (23) are set so that the second air stream is subjected tohumidification in the humidity control part (23). In the humiditycontrol part (23), the adsorbent is regenerated by the second air streamheated by the heating means (25), and moisture desorbed from theadsorbent is given to the second air stream, in other words the secondair is humidified. In addition, in the humidity control part (23), thefirst air stream comes to contact with the adsorbent and as a resultmoisture present in the first air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent.

In the twelfth invention, the amount of heat exchange between the firstand second air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between thefirst and second air streams are adjusted by varying the rotating speedof the adsorption rotor (24).

During the humidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at a predetermined value. In a portion ofthe adsorption rotor (24) that extends across the second passage (22),the adsorbent is heated by the second air stream and as a result isregenerated. The desorbed moisture is given to the second air stream. Inthe portion of the adsorption rotor (24) which has changed position tothe first passage (21) from the second passage (22), moisture present inthe first air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. In this way, betweenthe first and second air streams introduced into the humidity controlpart (23), moisture exchange through the adsorbent of the adsorptionrotor (24) mainly takes place.

On the other hand, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24)during the dehumidification/cooling operation is set higher than thatduring the humidification operation. A portion of the adsorption rotor(24) extending across the second passage (22) comes to contact with thesecond air stream and absorbs heat from the second air stream. At thattime, some of the moisture present in the second air stream is adsorbedon the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24). The portion of theadsorption rotor (24) that has changed position to the first passage(21) from the second passage (22) comes into contact with the first airstream. The rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) is fast duringthe dehumidification/cooling operation, and when focusing attention on aspecific portion of the adsorption rotor (24), the time required forthat specific portion to pass through the first passage (21) is short.As the result of this, the portion of the adsorption rotor (24)extending across the first passage (21) enters such a state that itstemperature is held relatively high.

Accordingly, in the first passage (21), the difference in temperaturebetween the adsorption rotor (24) and the first air stream widens and asa result the amount of heat which is applied to the first air streamfrom the adsorption rotor (24) increases. In addition, at that time,some amount of moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent of the adsorptionrotor (24). Then, the desorbed moisture is given to the first airstream. In this way, between the first and second air streams introducedinto the humidity control part (23), heat exchange and moisture exchangetake place through the adsorption rotor (24).

In the thirteenth invention, the second air stream with formation of atemperature distribution is supplied to the humidity control part (23).Here, when focusing attention on a specific portion of the adsorptionrotor (24) which has changed position to the second passage (22), thetemperature of that specific portion becomes higher during movementthrough the second passage (22). Therefore, in the third invention, forthe adsorption rotor (24) which extends across the second passage (22),a portion thereof positioned nearer to the terminal end in the rotatingdirection of the adsorption rotor (24) is supplied with the second airstream having a higher temperature. In other words, the second airstream having a relatively low temperature is supplied to a portion ofthe adsorption rotor (24) which has just moved to the second passage(22) while on the other hand the second air stream having a relativelyhigh temperature is supplied to a portion of the adsorption rotor (24)which has risen in temperature because of being in contact with thesecond air stream for a long period of time.

In the fourteenth invention, in the sensible heat exchanger, heatexchange takes place between the first air stream and the second airstream.

In the fifteenth invention, the rotating rotor (26) constitutes asensible heat exchanger. For example, when causing heat to move to thesecond air stream from the first air stream, a portion of the rotatingrotor (26) extending across the first passage (21) is heated by thefirst air stream. The portion of the rotating rotor (26) which hasabsorbed the heat from the first air stream moves to the second passage(22). And, the portion of the rotating rotor (26) which has changedposition to the second passage (22) gives off the heat to the second airstream. In this way, between the first air stream and the second airstream, heat exchange takes place through the rotating rotor (26).

In the sixteenth invention, the heat exchange member (27) constitutes asensible heat exchanger. Flow paths for the first air stream and flowpaths for the second air stream are alternately formed in the heatexchange member (27). And, in the heat exchange member (27), heatexchange takes place between the first air stream and the second airstream while the first and second air streams pass through theirrespective flow paths.

In the seventeenth invention, the heating means (25) mixes a heating gasinto the first air stream. The sensible heat exchanger is supplied withthe first air stream heated by mixing-in of the heating gas. In thesensible heat exchanger, the first air stream exchanges heat with thesecond air stream and as a result the second air stream is heated. Thesecond air stream thus heated flows into the humidity control part (23).In the humidity control part (23), the amount of heat exchange increasesproportionally to the amount of heat given to the second air stream fromthe heating gas.

In the eighteenth invention, the exhaust gas of the electric powergenerator (40) is used as a heating gas. In other words, the exhaust gasof the electric power generator (40) is utilized to operate the humiditycontroller apparatus (20).

Effects

In the first invention, switching between the dehumidification operationand the humidification/heating operation is made by adjustment to theamount of heat exchange and the amount of moisture exchange in thehumidity control part (23). This makes it possible for the apparatus toswitch between the dehumidification operation and thehumidification/heating operation without switching the distributionroute of the first and second air streams. Therefore, the firstinvention provides a humidity controller apparatus which is able toswitch between the dehumidification operation and thehumidification/heating operation, which is simple in configuration, andwhich is highly reliable.

In accordance with the second invention, the amount of heat exchange andthe amount of moisture exchange are reliably adjusted by varying therotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) disposed in the humiditycontrol part (23).

In the third invention, the heating means (25) forms a temperaturedistribution in the second air stream so that a portion of theadsorption rotor (24) having a higher temperature comes to contact withthe second air stream having a higher temperature. As a result of sucharrangement, it becomes possible to make the difference in temperaturebetween the adsorption rotor (24) and the second air stream which heatsthe adsorption rotor (24) approximately constant, thereby making itpossible to efficiently perform heating of the adsorption rotor (24).Therefore, in accordance with the third invention, the amount of heatingnecessary for regeneration of the adsorption rotor (24) is reduced.

In each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth inventions, it is arranged thatheat exchange between the first and second air streams takes place inthe sensible heat exchanger. As a result of such arrangement, during thedehumidification operation, the first air stream which is supplied tothe inside of the room is cooled by the sensible heat exchanger.Further, at that time, the heat held in the first air stream iscollected in the second air stream, thereby making it possible to reducethe amount of heating to the second air stream in the heating means(25). Therefore, in accordance with these inventions, the running costof the humidity controller apparatus (20) is cut down.

In the ninth and tenth inventions, the heating means (25) mixes theexhaust gas of the electric power generator (40) into the second airstream. As a result, the second air stream flowing into the humiditycontrol part (23) increases in temperature and absolute humidity. Thismakes it possible to increase the amount of heat exchange and the amountof moisture exchange in the humidity control part (23). Consequently,the first air stream of further higher temperature and absolute humidityis supplied into the room during the humidification/heating operation.

In the eleventh invention, switching between thedehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operation ismade by adjustment to the amount of heat exchange and the amount ofmoisture exchange in the humidity control part (23). This makes itpossible for the apparatus to switch between thedehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operationwithout switching the distribution route of the first and second airstreams. Therefore, the eleventh invention provides a humiditycontroller apparatus which is able to switch between thedehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operation,which is simple in configuration, and which is highly reliable.

In accordance with the twelfth invention, the amount of heat exchangeand the amount of moisture exchange are reliably adjusted by varying therotating speed of the, adsorption rotor (24) disposed in the humiditycontrol part (23).

In the thirteenth invention, the heating means (25) forms a temperaturedistribution in the second air stream so that a portion of theadsorption rotor (24) having a higher temperature comes to contact withthe second air stream having a higher temperature. As a result of sucharrangement, it becomes possible to make the difference in temperaturebetween the adsorption rotor (24) and the second air stream which heatsthe adsorption rotor (24) approximately constant, thereby making itpossible to efficiently perform heating of the adsorption rotor (24).Therefore, in accordance with the thirteenth invention, the amount ofheating necessary for regeneration of the adsorption rotor (24) isreduced.

In each of the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth inventions, it isarranged that heat exchange between the first and second air streamstakes place in the sensible heat exchanger. As a result of sucharrangement, the second air stream which is supplied to the inside ofthe room is cooled in the sensible heat exchanger during thedehumidification/cooling operation. In addition, during thehumidification operation, heat held in the first air stream is collectedin the second air stream, therefore making it possible to reduce theamount of heating to the second air stream in the heating means (25).Therefore, in accordance with these inventions, the running cost of thehumidity controller apparatus is cut down.

In the seventeenth and eighteenth inventions, the heating means (25)mixes the exhaust gas of the electric power generator (40) into thefirst air stream. As a result, the second air stream flowing into thehumidity control part (23) through the sensible heat exchanger rises intemperature. This makes it possible to increase the amount of heatexchange in the humidity control part (23). Consequently, it becomespossible to supply the second air stream of further higher temperatureto the inside of the room during the humidification operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a psychrometric chart representing a dehumidificationoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification/heatingoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing the temperature distribution of asecond air stream flowing into a humidity control part in the humiditycontroller apparatus of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a psychrometric chart representing a dehumidificationoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification/heatingoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a variation of thehumidity controller apparatus of the third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a psychrometric chart representing a dehumidificationoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification/heatingoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a psychrometric chart representing a dehumidificationoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification/heatingoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a variation of thehumidity controller apparatus of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification operationof the humidity controller apparatus of the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a psychrometric chart representing a dehumidification/coolingoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification operationof the humidity controller apparatus of the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a psychrometric chart representing a dehumidification/coolingoperation of the humidity controller apparatus of the seventhembodiment;

FIG. 23 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic showing the arrangement of a humidity controllerapparatus of a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 25 is a psychrometric chart representing a humidification operationof the humidity controller apparatus of the ninth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawing figures.

Embodiment 1 of Invention

As shown in FIG. 1, a humidity controller apparatus (20) of the firstembodiment comprises a casing (15). The casing (15) contains a humiditycontrol part (23) and a heater (25) as a heating means. The inside ofthe casing (15) is so divided as to form a first passage (21) and asecond passage (22). The leading end of the first passage (21) isconnected to the outside of a room while the terminal end thereof isconnected to the inside of the room. In addition, the leading end of thesecond passage (22) is connected to the inside of the room while theterminal end thereof is connected to the outside of the room. The firstand second passages (21) and (22) are each provided with a respectivefan (not shown). When these fans are operated, outside air (OA) as afirst air stream flows in the first passage (21) and room air (RA) as asecond air stream flows in the second passage (22).

The humidity control part (23) has an adsorption rotor (24). Theadsorption rotor (24) is shaped like a disc-like, honeycomb-like shape,thereby allowing the passage of air therethrough in the thicknessdirection. An inorganic material consisting mainly of zeolite, Type Asilica gel or the like is applied, as an adsorbent, on the surface ofthe adsorption rotor (24). The adsorption rotor (24) is oriented, suchthat it extends across the first and second passages (21) and (22). In aportion of the adsorption rotor (24) that extends across the firstpassage (21), the adsorbent comes into contact with the first airstream. On the other hand, in a portion of the adsorption rotor (24)that extends across the second passage (22), the adsorbent comes intocontact with the second air stream. In addition, the adsorption rotor(24) is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

The adsorption rotor (24) is configured, such that its rotating speed isadjustable. By adjustment to the rotational speed of the adsorptionrotor (24), its capability to exchange heat and moisture between thefirst and second air streams is varied. In other words, as the rotatingspeed of the adsorption rotor (24) varies, the amount of heat exchangebetween the first and second air streams and the amount of moistureexchange between the first and second air streams are controlled. Thehumidity controller apparatus (20) of the present embodiment switchesbetween the dehumidification operation and the humidification/heatingoperation by varying the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24).

The heater (25) is disposed upstream of the humidity control part (23)in the second passage (22). The heater (25) is provided to heat thesecond air stream. In addition, connected to the heater (25) is anexhaust gas pipe (41) of a co-generation system (40) which is anelectric power generator.

The co-generation system (40) has a solid-electrolyte fuel cell. Thisfuel cell causes a cell reaction in which the fuel is hydrogen containedin a reformed gas generated from carbon hydride such as methane and theoxidant is oxygen present in the air, and outputs electric powerproduced by the cell reaction. The fuel reaction in the fuel cellgenerates a high-temperature exhaust gas. The exhaust gas is sent to theexhaust gas pipe (41). In the heater (25), heat exchange takes placebetween the second air stream and the exhaust gas. At this time, in theheater (25), the second air stream is heated such that a predeterminedtemperature distribution is formed in the second air stream afterheating.

As described above, by adjustment to the rotational speed of theadsorption rotor (24), the capability to exchange heat between the firstand second air streams and the capability to exchange moisture betweenthe first and second air streams are varied. This is described below.

When the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) is slow, the timethat the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) extending across thesecond passage (22) is in contact with the second air stream becomeslonger than when the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) isfast. During the passage through the second passage (22), the adsorptionrotor (24) is heated by the second air stream. Moisture is desorbed fromthe adsorbent by the heated second air stream. The desorbed moisture isgiven to the second air stream. After passing through the second passage(22), the adsorption rotor (24) moves to the first passage (21).

In addition, when the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) isslow, the time taken for the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) whichhas changed position to the first passage (21) from the second passage(22) to pass through the first passage (21) becomes longer. As a result,the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) extending across the firstpassage (21) once falls in temperature due to contact with the first airstream. Thereafter, moisture present in the first air stream is absorbedon the adsorbent disposed in that portion. The portion of the adsorptionrotor (24) which has adsorbed the moisture when passing through thefirst passage (21) again moves to the second passage (22).

As described above, when the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24)is set slow, moisture exchange through the adsorbent of the adsorptionrotor (24) mainly takes place between the first and second air streamsintroduced into the humidity control part (23), whereby the first airstream is dehumidified.

On the other hand, when the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24)is fast, the time that the portion of the adsorption rotor (24)extending across the second passage (22) is in contact with the secondair stream becomes shorter than when the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is slow. During the passage through the secondpassage (22), the adsorption rotor (24) is heated by the second airstream. In addition, if the absolute humidity of the second air streamis at a certain high level, some of the moisture present in the secondair stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24).After the passage through the second passage (22), the adsorption rotor(24) moves to the first passage (21).

When the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) is fast, the timerequired for the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) which has changedposition to the first passage (21) from the second passage (22) to passthrough the first passage (21) becomes shorter. Consequently, theportion of the adsorption rotor (24) which has moved to the firstpassage (21) moves to the second passage (22) from the first passage(21) before its temperature drops so much. In other words, the portionof the adsorption rotor (24) that extends across the first passage (21)enters such a state that its temperature is held relatively high.Accordingly, in the first passage (21), the difference in temperaturebetween the adsorption rotor (24) and the first air stream widens,thereby increasing the amount of heat which is applied to the first airstream. In addition, if the absolute humidity of the first air stream isat a certain low level, some moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent ofthe adsorption rotor (24). The desorbed moisture is given to the firstair stream.

As described above, when the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24)is set fast, heat exchange and moisture exchange through the adsorptionrotor (24) take place between the first and second air streamsintroduced into the humidity control part (23), whereby the first airstream is heated and humidified.

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) isdescribed below.

In the first place, a dehumidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 2. Whenperforming the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). Then, the first air stream is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the firstair stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Thereby, the first air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream decreases inabsolute humidity but increases in temperature, thereby entering a stateof Point B. The first air stream in the state of Point B is supplied, assupply air (SA), into the inside of a room.

On the other hand, a second air stream in a state of Point C is fed intothe second passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the heater (25). In the heater (25), heatexchange takes place between the exhaust gas of the co-generation system(40) and the second air stream. As a result of such heat exchange withthe exhaust gas, the second air stream rises in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point D.

The second air stream in the state of Point D is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comesinto contact with the adsorbent. On the other hand, since the adsorptionrotor (24) is rotating, a portion of the adsorption rotor (24) that hasabsorbed moisture from the first air stream eventually moves to thesecond passage (22) and comes into contact with the second air stream.By contact with the second air stream, moisture is desorbed from theadsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24) and as a result the adsorbent isregenerated. Thereby, the second air stream varies along an isenthalpiccurve. The second air stream increases in absolute humidity butdecreases in temperature, thereby entering a state of Point E. Thesecond air stream in the state of Point E is discharged, as exhaust air(EA), to the outside of the room.

Next, a humidification/heating operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 3. When performingthe humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. A first air stream in a state ofPoint A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor(24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the first air stream comes intocontact with the absorbent. As the adsorption rotor (24) gathers speed,the time that the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) heated by thesecond air stream is in contact with the first air stream becomesshorter. Consequently, the temperature of the portion of the adsorptionrotor (24) that extends across the first passage (21) is held at arelatively high level. Therefore, in the first passage (21), thedifference in temperature between the adsorption rotor (24) and thefirst air stream widens, thereby increasing the amount of heat which isapplied to the first air stream from the adsorption rotor (24).

In addition, since in the state of Point A the absolute humidity of thefirst air stream is considerably low, some moisture is desorbed from theadsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24). The desorbed moisture is givento the first air stream. The first air stream increases in absolutehumidity and temperature, thereby entering a state of Point B. The firstair stream in the state of Point B is supplied, as supply air (SA), tothe inside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point C is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the heater (25). In the heater (25), heatexchange takes place between the exhaust gas of the co-generation system(40) and the second air stream. As a result of such heat exchange withthe exhaust gas, the second air stream rises in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point D.

The second air stream in the state of Point D is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comesinto contact with the adsorbent. At this time, the heated second airstream gives off heat to the adsorption rotor (24). In addition, some ofthe moisture present in the second air stream is adsorbed on theadsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24). Consequently, the second airstream decreases in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby enteringa state of Point E. The second air stream in the state of Point E isdischarged, as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

In each of the dehumidification and humidification/heating operations,the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) extending across the secondpassage (22) is heated by the second air stream. The temperature of theportions of the adsorption rotor (24) is distributed as follows. In theadsorption rotor (24), an area that stays in contact with the second airstream for a longer period of time, i.e., an area located nearer to theterminal end in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24) hasa higher temperature. In other words, a temperature distribution isformed in the adsorption rotor (24) so that the temperature increasesfrom the leading end towards the terminal end of the second passage (22)in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24).

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the heater (25) heats a second airstream so as to form a corresponding temperature distribution to thetemperature distribution of the adsorption rotor (24). In other words,the second air stream flowing into the humidity control part (23) has atemperature distribution allowing the temperature to be higher in anarea located nearer to the terminal end of the second passage (22) inthe rotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24), in other word, thetemperature is lower in an area located nearer to the leading end of thesecond passage (22) in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor(24).

Thereby, in the adsorption rotor (24), a low-temperature portion of thesecond air stream comes into contact with a relatively low-temperaturearea of the portion of the adsorption rotor (24) that extends across thesecond passage (22) (i.e., an area at the leasing end side) while, onthe other hand, a high-temperature portion of the second air streamcomes into contact with a relatively high-temperature area of theportion of the adsorption rotor (24) that extends across the secondpassage (22) (i.e., an area at the terminal end side). Consequently, thedifference in temperature between the second air stream flowing into theadsorption rotor (24) and the adsorption rotor (24) is uniformized.

Effects of Embodiment 1

In the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the present embodiment,switching between the dehumidification operation and thehumidification/heating operation is made by adjustment to the amount ofheat exchange and the amount of moisture exchange in the humiditycontrol part (23). This makes it possible for the humidity controllerapparatus (20) to switch between the dehumidification operation and thehumidification/heating operation without switching the distributionroute of the first and second air streams. Therefore, the presentembodiment provides a humidity controller apparatus which is able toswitch between the dehumidification operation and thehumidification/heating operation, which is simple in configuration, andwhich is highly reliable. Especially, the amount of heat exchange andthe amount of moisture exchange are reliably controlled by varying therotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) disposed in the humiditycontrol part (23).

In addition, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the presentembodiment, the heater (25) forms a temperature distribution in a secondair stream so that an area of the adsorption rotor (24) having a highertemperature comes into contact with a high-temperature portion of thesecond air stream. This makes it possible to make the difference intemperature between the adsorption rotor (24) and the second air streamwhich heats the adsorption rotor (24) approximately constant, andheating of the adsorption rotor (24) is carried out with highefficiency. Therefore, in accordance with the present embodiment, theamount of heating to the second air stream necessary for regeneration ofthe adsorption rotor (24) is cut down.

Embodiment 2 of Invention

A second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thefirst embodiment, in other words the second embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the first embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from first embodiment are describedbelow.

As shown in FIG. 5, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment includes a rotating rotor (26) as a sensible heatexchanger. The rotating rotor (26) is shaped like a disc-like,honeycomb-like shape, thereby allowing the passage of air therethroughin the thickness direction.

The rotating rotor (26) is disposed so as to extend over a portion ofthe first passage (21) located downstream of the humidity control part(23) and a portion of the second passage (22) located upstream of theheater (25). In addition, the rotating rotor (26) is disposed, such thatit is oriented so as to extend across the first and second passages (21)and (22). Stated another way, one part of the rotating rotor (26) comesinto contact with a first air stream flowing through the first passage(21) while the rest comes into contact with a second air stream flowingthrough the second passage (22). And, when the rotating rotor (26) isrotationally driven by a motor (not shown), heat exchange takes placebetween the first air stream and the second air stream.

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) isdescribed below.

In the first place, a dehumidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 6. Whenperforming the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). Then, the first air stream is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the firstair stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Thereby, the first air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream decreases inabsolute humidity but rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint B. The first air stream in the state of Point B is sent to therotating rotor (26). During the passage through the rotating rotor (26),the first air stream gives off heat to the rotating rotor (26).Consequently, the temperature of the first air stream falls, therebyentering a state of Point C. The first air stream in the state of PointC is supplied, as supply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point D is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the rotating rotor (26). Meanwhile, in duetime, a portion of the rotating rotor (26) that has absorbed the heatfrom the first air stream moves to the second passage (22) and comesinto contact with the second air stream because the rotating rotor (26)is rotating. In the rotating rotor (26), the heat collected from thefirst air stream is applied to the second air stream. Consequently, thesecond air stream rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint E. The second air stream in the state of Point E is sent to theheater (25). In the heater (25), heat exchange takes place between theexhaust gas of the co-generation system (40) and the second air stream.As a result of such heat exchange with the exhaust gas, the second airstream rises in temperature, thereby entering a state of Point F.

The second air stream in the state of Point F is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comesinto contact with the adsorbent. By contact with the second air stream,moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24) andas a result the adsorbent is regenerated. This causes the second airstream to vary along an isenthalpic curve. The second air stream risesin absolute humidity but drops in temperature, thereby entering a stateof Point G The second air stream in the state of Point G is discharged,as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Next, a humidification/heating operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described. When performing the humidification/heatingoperation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) is set at 20rpm. In addition, the rotating rotor (26) is in the stopped state. Inother words, the first and second air streams flow through theadsorption rotor (24) at rest, which means no heat exchange takes placebetween the first and second air streams. And, in thehumidification/heating operation of the humidity controller apparatus(20) of the present embodiment, the same operations as in thehumidification/heating operation of the humidity controller apparatus(20) of the first embodiment are performed (see FIG. 3).

Embodiment 3 of Invention

A third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thefirst embodiment, in other words the third embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the first embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment includes, as a sensible heat exchanger, a heatexchange member (27). The heat exchange member (27) is shaped like arectangular parallelepiped, wherein a first flow path (51) as a flowpath along which the first air stream flows and a second flow path (52)as a flow path along which the second air stream flows are alternatelyarranged in the heightwise direction of the heat exchange member (27),i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 7. The firstflow path (51) of the heat exchange member (27) is connected to aportion of the first passage (21) located downstream of the humiditycontrol part (23) while, on the other hand, the second flow path (52) ofthe heat exchange member (27) is connected to a portion of the secondpassage (22) located upstream of the heater (25). And, in the heatexchange member (27), heat exchange takes place between the first airstream flowing through the first flow path (51) and the second airstream flowing through the second flow path (52).

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) isdescribed below.

In the first place, a dehumidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described. When performing thedehumidification operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor(24) is set at 0.5 rpm. And, in the dehumidification operation, the sameoperations as in the dehumidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) of the second embodiment are performed (seeFIG. 6). Stated another way, following dehumidification by theadsorption rotor (24), the first air stream is cooled in the heatexchange member (27) and then is supplied to the inside of the room. Onthe other hand, following preheating by the heat exchange member (27),the second air stream is heated by the heater (25) and sequentially isused to regenerate the adsorption rotor (24). Thereafter, the second airstream is discharged to the outside of the room.

Next, a humidification/heating operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 8. When performingthe humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. A first air stream in a state ofPoint A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor(24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the first air stream receives heatfrom the adsorption rotor (24). In addition, since in the state of PointA the absolute humidity of the first air stream is low, moisture isdesorbed from the adsorbent and then given to the first air stream. As aresult, the first air stream increases in absolute humidity andtemperature, thereby entering a state of Point B. The first air streamin the state of Point B is sent to the heat exchange member (27). In theheat exchange member (27), the first air stream exchanges heat with thesecond air. Consequently, the first air stream falls in temperature,thereby entering a state of Point C. The first air stream in the stateof Point C is supplied, as supply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point D is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the heat exchange member (27). In the heatexchange member (27), the second air stream exchanges heat with thefirst air stream. Consequently, the second air stream rises intemperature, thereby entering a state of Point E. The second air streamin the state of Point E is sent to the heater (25). In the heater (25),heat exchange takes place between the exhaust gas of the co-generationsystem (40) and the second air stream. As a result of such heat exchangewith the exhaust gas, the second air stream rises in temperature,thereby entering a state of Point F.

The second air stream in the state of Point F is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream givesoff heat to the adsorption rotor (24). In addition, moisture present inthe second air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Consequently, thesecond air stream falls in absolute humidity and temperature, therebyentering a state of Point G The second air stream in the state of PointG is discharged, as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Variation of Embodiment 3

As shown in FIG. 9, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the thirdembodiment may be modified such that a bypass passage (28) for directinga first air stream flowing through the first passage (21) to the insideof the room is provided between the downstream side of the humiditycontrol part (23) and the heat exchange member (27) in the first passage(21). For example, in the intermediate stage that outside air (OA) has ahigher temperature than room air (RA), room cooling can be provided bydirecting a first air stream to the inside of the room through the firstpassage (21) and then through the bypass passage (28), with the heater(25) and the adsorption rotor (24) placed in the stopped state. In otherwords, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the presentvariation, room cooling is provided with less power consumption.

Embodiment 4 of Invention

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thesecond embodiment, in other words the fourth embodiment includes aheating means (25) having a different configuration from the counterpartof the second embodiment. Here, with respect to the present embodiment,the differences from the second embodiment are described below.

As shown in FIG. 10, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment includes an exhaust gas pipe (41) of theco-generation system (40) which is an electric power generator. Theexhaust gas pipe (41) is connected between the rotating rotor (26) andthe humidity control part (23) in the second passage (22).

In the co-generation system (40), an exhaust gas emitted from thesolid-electrolyte fuel cell has a higher absolute humidity and a highertemperature than the second air stream. The exhaust gas is sent, as agas for heating the second air stream, to the exhaust gas pipe (41).And, the heating means (25) of the present embodiment heats the secondair stream by mixing the exhaust gas supplied from the exhaust gas pipe(41) into the second air stream flowing through the second passage (22).

In addition, the heating means (25) supplies, to a plurality of areas inthe second passage (22), the exhaust gas at different flow rates so thata predetermined temperature distribution is formed in the second airstream flowing into the humidity control part (23). That is to say, in across section of the second passage (22), an area located nearer to theleading end in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24) issupplied with a less amount of exhaust gas while, on the other hand, anarea located nearer to the terminal end in the rotating direction of theadsorption rotor (24) is supplied with a greater amount of exhaust gas.

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (2.0) isdescribed below.

In the first place, a dehumidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 11. Whenperforming the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor(24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the first airstream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Thereby, the first air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream falls inabsolute humidity but rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint B. The first air stream in the state of Point B is sent to therotating rotor (26). During the passage through the rotating rotor (26),the first air stream gives off heat to the rotating rotor (26).Consequently, the first air stream falls in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point C. The first air stream in the state of PointC is supplied, as supply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point D is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the rotating rotor (26). In the rotatingrotor (26), heat collected from the first air stream is applied to thesecond air stream. Consequently, the second air stream rises intemperature, thereby entering a state of Point E. The exhaust gas of theco-generation system (40) is mixed into the second air stream in thestate of Point E. And, the second air stream rises in absolute humidityand temperature, thereby entering a state of Point F.

The second air stream in the state of Point F is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comesinto contact with the adsorbent. By contact with the second air stream,moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24) andas a result the adsorbent is regenerated. Thereby, the second air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The second air stream rises inabsolute humidity but falls in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint G. The second air stream in the state of Point G is discharged, asexhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Next, a humidification/heating operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 12. When performingthe humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. In addition, the rotating rotor(26) is in the stopped state. A first air stream in a state of Point Ais fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controller apparatus(20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor (24). In theadsorption rotor (24), the first air stream receives heat from theadsorption rotor (24). In addition, since in the state of Point A theabsolute humidity of the first air stream is low, moisture is desorbedfrom the adsorbent and then given to the first air stream. As a result,the first air stream rises in absolute humidity and temperature, therebyentering a state of Point B. The first air stream in the state of PointB is supplied, as supply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point C is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Theexhaust gas of the co-generation system (40) is mixed into the secondair stream. As a result, the second air stream rises in absolutehumidity and temperature, thereby entering a state of Point D. Thesecond air stream in the state of Point D is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream givesoff heat to the adsorption rotor (24). In addition, moisture present inthe second air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Thereby, the secondair stream falls in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby enteringa state of Point E. The second air stream in the state of Point E isdischarged, as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

In the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the present embodiment, theexhaust gas of the co-generation system (40) is mixed into the secondair stream. Thereby, the second air stream rises not only in temperaturebut also in absolute humidity. Consequently, the second air streamhaving a higher temperature and a higher absolute humidity is suppliedto the humidity control part (23). And, in the humidification/heatingoperation, the heat and the moisture held in the second air stream aregiven to the first air stream through the adsorption rotor (24).Accordingly, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the presentembodiment, the first air stream which is supplied to the inside of theroom can be increased not only in temperature but also in absolutehumidity. In other words, the amount of humidification to the first airstream is increased.

Embodiment 5 of Invention

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thefourth embodiment, in other words the fifth embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the fourth embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from the fourth embodiment aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 13, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment includes a humidifier (29). The humidifier (29) isprovided to humidify the first air stream. The humidifier (29) isdisposed downstream of the humidity control part (23) in the firstpassage (21). The humidifier (29) is supplied with tap water or thelike. And, the humidifier (29) humidifies the first air stream bydispersing it with tap water supplied thereto.

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) isdescribed below.

In the first place, a dehumidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 14. Whenperforming the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor(24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the first airstream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Consequently, the first air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream falls inabsolute humidity but rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint B.

The first air in the state of Point B is sent to the rotating rotor(26). During the passage through the rotating rotor (26), the first airstream gives off heat to the rotating rotor (26). Consequently, thefirst air stream falls in temperature, thereby entering a state of PointC. The first air stream in the state of Point C is sent to thehumidifier (29) where the first air stream is humidified. At that time,in the first air stream, the supplied water absorbs heat and evaporates.Consequently, the first air stream rises in absolute humidity but fallsin temperature, thereby entering a state of Point D. The first airstream in the state of Point D is supplied, as supply air (SA), to theinside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point E is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the rotating rotor (26). In the rotatingrotor (26), heat collected from the first air stream is applied to thesecond air stream. Consequently, the second air stream rises intemperature, thereby entering a state of Point F. The exhaust gas of theco-generation system (40) is mixed into the second air stream in thestate of Point F. As a result, the second air stream rises in absolutehumidity and temperature, thereby entering a state of Point G.

The second air stream in the state of Point G is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comesinto contact with the adsorbent. By such contact with the second airstream, moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor(24), and the adsorbent is regenerated. Thereby, the second air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The second air stream rises inabsolute humidity but falls in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint H. The second air stream in the state of Point H is discharged, asexhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Next, a humidification/heating operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 15. When performingthe humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. In addition, the rotating rotor(26) is in the stopped state. A first air stream in a state of Point Ais fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controller apparatus(20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor (24). In theadsorption rotor (24), the first air stream receives heat from theadsorption rotor (24). In addition, since in the state of Point A theabsolute humidity of the first air stream is low, moisture is desorbedfrom the adsorbent and then given to the first air stream. The first airstream rises in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby entering astate of Point B.

The first air stream in the state of Point B is sent to the humidifier(29) where the first air stream is humidified. At that time, in thefirst air stream, the supplied water absorbs heat and evaporates.Consequently, the first air stream rises in absolute humidity but fallsin temperature, thereby entering a state of Point C. The first airstream in the state of Point C is supplied, as supply air (SA), to theinside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point D is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Theexhaust gas of the co-generation system (40) is mixed into the secondair stream. Consequently, the second air stream rises in absolutehumidity and temperature, thereby entering a state of Point E. Thesecond air stream in the state of Point E is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream givesoff heat to the adsorption rotor (24). In addition, moisture present inthe second air stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Thereby, the secondair stream falls in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby enteringa state of Point F. The second air stream in the state of Point F isdischarged, as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Variation of Embodiments 5

As shown in FIG. 16, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the fifthembodiment may be modified such that the second passage (22) has anexhaust passage (30) for discharging a portion of the second air streamafter passage through the rotating rotor (26) but before subjected toheating by the heating means (25), to the outside of the room. A portionof the second air stream is discharged from the exhaust passage (30), asa result of which the flow rate of the second air stream which is heatedby the heating means (25) decreases and the temperature of the secondair stream after heating rises. Consequently, the second air streamhaving a higher temperature is supplied to the humidity control part(23), and the amount of moisture which is desorbed from the adsorbentincreases. As a result, the amount of moisture that the adsorbent of theadsorption rotor (24) after movement to the first passage (21) adsorbsalso increases.

Accordingly, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the presentvariation, the amount of moisture present in the first air stream whichis adsorbed on the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24) increases, andduring the dehumidification operation the humidity of the first airstream which is supplied to the inside of the room is decreased to afurther extent. In addition, in the humidity controller apparatus (20)of the present variation, the exhaust passage (30) is located downstreamof the rotating rotor (26) in the second passage (22). As a result ofsuch arrangement, the flow rate of the second air stream flowing intothe rotating rotor (26) is secured, thereby ensuring that the first airstream is cooled in the rotating rotor (26).

Embodiment 6 of Invention

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thefirst embodiment, in other words the sixth embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the first embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment, the leading end of the first passage (21) isconnected to the inside of a room while the terminal end thereof isconnected to the outside of the room. In addition, the leading end ofthe second passage (22) is connected to the outside of the room whilethe terminal end thereof is connected to the inside of the room. Roomair (RA) is fed, as a first air stream, into the first passage (21).Outside air (OA) is fed, as a second air stream, into the second passage(22). In other words, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent invention according to the humidity controller apparatus (20) ofthe first embodiment, the connection destination of the first and secondpassages (21) and (22) is changed for switching between air streamsrespectively taken into the first and second passages (21) and (22).

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) isdescribed below.

In the first place, a humidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 18. Whenperforming the humidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor(24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the first airstream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Thereby, the first air streamvaries along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream falls inabsolute humidity but rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint B. The first air stream in the state of Point B is discharged, asexhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point C is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the heater (25). In the heater (25), heatexchange takes place between the exhaust gas of the co-generation system(40) and the second air stream. As a result of such heat exchange withthe exhaust gas, the second air stream rises in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point D. The second air stream in the state of PointD is sent to the adsorption rotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24),the second air stream comes into contact with the adsorbent. By contactwith the second air stream, moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent ofthe adsorption rotor (24), and the adsorbent is regenerated. Thereby,the second air stream varies along an isenthalpic curve. The second airstream rises in absolute humidity but falls in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point E. The second air stream in the state of PointE is supplied, as supply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

Next, a dehumidification/cooling operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 19. When performingthe dehumidification/cooling operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. Heating of the second air streamby the heater (25) is being stopped. A first air stream in a state ofPoint A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). The first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor(24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the first air stream receives heatfrom the adsorption rotor (24). In addition, since in the state of PointA the absolute humidity of the first air stream is low, moisture isdesorbed form the adsorbent and then given to the first air stream.Consequently, the first air stream rises in absolute humidity andtemperature, thereby entering a state of Point B. The first air streamin the state of Point B is discharged, as exhaust air (EA), to theoutside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point C is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor (24). In theadsorption rotor (24), the second air stream gives off heat to theadsorption rotor (24). In addition, moisture present in the second airstream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Consequently, the second air streamfalls in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint D. The second air stream in the state of Point D is supplied, assupply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

The humidity controller apparatus (20) of the present embodimentprovides the same effects as the first embodiment. To sum up, switchingbetween the dehumidification/cooling operation and the humidificationoperation becomes possible without switching the distribution route ofthe first and second air streams. Therefore, the humidity controllerapparatus (20) of the present embodiment is able to switch between thedehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operation.Besides, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the presentembodiment is simple in configuration and has high reliability.

Embodiment 7 of Invention

A seventh embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thesecond embodiment, in other words the seventh embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the second embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from the second embodiment aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment, the leading end of the first passage (21) isconnected to the inside of a room while the terminal end thereof isconnected to the outside of the room. In addition, the leading end ofthe second passage (22) is connected to the outside of the room whilethe terminal end thereof is connected to the inside of the room. Roomair (RA) is fed, as a first air stream, into the first passage (21).Outside air (OA) is fed, as a second air stream, into the second passage(22). In other words, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent invention according to the humidity controller apparatus (20) ofthe second embodiment, the connection destination of the first andsecond passages (21) and (22) is changed for switching between airstreams respectively taken into the first and second passages (21) and(22).

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment is described below.

In the first place, a humidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 21. Whenperforming the humidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). Then, the first air stream is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the firstair stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. This causes the first airstream to vary along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream falls inabsolute humidity but rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint B. The first air stream in the state of Point B is sent to therotating rotor (26). During the passage through the rotating rotor (26),the first air stream gives off heat to the rotating rotor (26). As theresult of this, the first air stream falls in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point C. The first air stream in the state of PointC is discharged, as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point D is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the rotating rotor (26). In the rotatingrotor (26), heat collected from the first air stream is applied to thesecond air stream. Thereby, the second air stream rises in temperature,thereby entering a state of Point E. The second air stream in the stateof Point E is sent to the heater (25). In the heater (25), heat exchangetakes place between the exhaust gas of the co-generation system (40) andthe second air stream. As a result of such heat exchange with theexhaust gas, the second air stream rises in temperature, therebyentering a state of Point F.

The second air stream in the state of Point F is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comesinto contact with the adsorbent. By contact with the second air stream,moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24),and the adsorbent is regenerated. This causes the second air stream tovary along an isenthalpic curve. The second air stream rises in absolutehumidity but falls in temperature, thereby entering a state of Point G.The second air stream in the state of Point G is supplied, as supply air(SA), to the inside of the room.

Next, a dehumidification/cooling operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 22. When performingthe dehumidification/cooling operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. Heating of the second air streamby the heater (25) is stopped. A first air stream in a state of Point Ais fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controller apparatus(20). Then, the first air stream is sent to the adsorption rotor (24).In the adsorption rotor (24), the first air stream receives heat fromthe adsorption rotor (24). In addition, since in the state of Point Athe absolute humidity of the first air stream is low, moisture isdesorbed form the adsorbent and then given to the first air stream.Consequently, the first air stream rises in absolute humidity andtemperature, thereby entering a state of Point B.

The first air stream in the state of Point B is sent to the rotatingrotor (26). In the rotating rotor (26), heat collected from the secondair stream is applied to the first air stream. Consequently, the firstair stream rises in temperature, thereby entering a state of Point C.The first air stream in the state of Point C is discharged, as exhaustair (EA), to the outside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point D is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the rotating rotor (26). During the passagethrough the rotating rotor (26), the second air stream gives off heat tothe rotating rotor (26). Consequently, the second air stream falls intemperature, thereby entering a state of Point E. The second air streamin the state of Point E is sent to the adsorption rotor (24). In theadsorption rotor (24), the second air stream gives off heat to theadsorption rotor (24). In addition, moisture present in the second airstream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Consequently, the second air streamfalls in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint F. The second air stream in the state of Point F is supplied, assupply air (SA), to the inside of the room.

Embodiment 8 of Invention

An eighth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thethird embodiment, in other words the eighth embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the third embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from the third embodiment aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment, the leading end of the first passage (21) isconnected to the inside of a room while the terminal end thereof isconnected to the outside of the room. In addition, the leading end ofthe second passage (22) is connected to the outside of the room whilethe terminal end thereof is connected to the inside of the room. Roomair (RA) is fed, as a first air stream, into the first passage (21).Outside air (OA) is fed, as a second air stream, into the second passage(22). In other words, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent invention according to the humidity controller apparatus (20) ofthe third embodiment, the connection destination of the first and secondpassages (21) and (22) is changed for switching between air streamsrespectively taken into the first and second passages (21) and (22).And, the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the present embodimentperforms the same humidification and dehumidification/cooling operationsthat the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the seventh embodimentdoes.

Embodiment 9 of Invention

A ninth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of thefourth embodiment, in other words the ninth embodiment provides ahumidity controller apparatus (20) having a different configuration fromthe counterpart of the fourth embodiment. Here, with respect to thepresent embodiment, the differences from the fourth embodiment aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 24, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment, the leading end of the first passage (21) isconnected to the inside of a room while the terminal end thereof isconnected to the outside of the room. In addition, the leading end ofthe second passage (22) is connected to the outside of the room whilethe terminal end thereof is connected to the inside of the room. Roomair (RA) is fed, as a first air stream, into the first passage (21).Outside air (OA) is fed, as a second air stream, into the second passage(22). In other words, in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent invention according to the humidity controller apparatus (20) ofthe fourth embodiment, the connection destination of the first andsecond passages (21) and (22) is changed for switching between airstreams respectively taken into the first and second passages (21) and(22).

Additionally, like the fourth embodiment, the humidity controllerapparatus (20) of the present embodiment is provided with an exhaust gaspipe (41) of the co-generation system (40). However, in the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) of the present embodiment, the exhaust gaspipe (41) is connected, in the first passage (21), between the rotatingrotor (26) and the humidity control part (23).

In the co-generation system (40), the exhaust gas emitted from the fuelcell is higher in absolute humidity and temperature than both of thefirst and second air streams. The exhaust gas is sent, as a gas used toheat the first air stream, to the exhaust gas pipe (41). In other words,the heating means (25) mixes the exhaust gas supplied from the exhaustgas pipe (41) into the first air stream flowing through the firstpassage (21), whereby the first air stream is heated. During the passagethrough the rotating rotor (26), the heated first air stream exchangesheat with the second air stream, as a result of which the second airstream is heated.

Running Operation

The running operation of the humidity controller apparatus (20) of thepresent embodiment is described below.

In the first place, a humidification operation of the humiditycontroller apparatus (20) is described with reference to FIG. 25. Whenperforming the humidification operation, the rotating speed of theadsorption rotor (24) is set at 0.5 rpm. A first air stream in a stateof Point A is fed into the first passage (21) of the humidity controllerapparatus (20). Then, the first air stream is sent to the adsorptionrotor (24). In the adsorption rotor (24), moisture present in the firstair stream is adsorbed on the adsorbent. This causes the first airstream to vary along an isenthalpic curve. The first air stream falls inabsolute humidity but rises in temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint B.

The exhaust gas of the co-generation system (40) is mixed into the firstair stream in the state of Point B. Consequently, the first air streamrises in absolute humidity and temperature, thereby entering a state ofPoint C. The first air stream in the state of Point C is sent to therotating rotor (26). During the passage through the rotating rotor (26),the first air stream gives off heat to the rotating rotor (26). As aresult, the first air stream falls in temperature, thereby entering astate of Point D. The first air stream in the state of Point D isdischarged, as exhaust air (EA), to the outside of the room.

Meanwhile, a second air stream in a state of Point E is fed into thesecond passage (22) of the humidity controller apparatus (20). Thesecond air stream is sent to the rotating rotor (26). In the rotatingrotor (26), heat collected from the first air stream is applied to thesecond air stream. Consequently, the second air stream rises intemperature, thereby entering a state of Point F. The second air streamin the state of Point F is sent to the adsorption rotor (24). In theadsorption rotor (24), the second air stream comes into contact with theadsorbent. By contact with the second air stream, moisture is desorbedfrom the adsorbent of the adsorption rotor (24), and the adsorbent isregenerated. This causes the second air stream to vary along anisenthalpic curve. The second air stream rises in absolute humidity butfalls in temperature, thereby entering a state of Point G. The secondair stream in the state of Point G is supplied, as supply air (SA), tothe inside of the room.

Next, a dehumidification/cooling operation of the humidity controllerapparatus (20) is described. When performing thedehumidification/cooling operation, the rotating speed of the adsorptionrotor (24) is set at 20 rpm. Heating of the first air stream by theheater (25) is stopped. And, in the dehumidification/cooling operationof the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the present embodiment, thesame operations as in the dehumidification/cooling operation of thehumidity controller apparatus (20) of the seventh embodiment areperformed (see FIG. 21). In other words, the first air stream, afterused to regenerate the adsorption rotor (24), is heated by the heatexchange member (27) and then is discharged to the outside of the room.On the other hand, the second air stream, after cooled by the heatexchange member (27), is dehumidified by the adsorption rotor (24) andthen is supplied to the inside of the room.

Variation of Embodiment 9

A humidifier (29) for humidifying a second air stream may be disposeddownstream of the humidity control part (23) in the second passage (22)in the humidity controller apparatus (20) of the ninth embodiment. Asupply of tap water or the like is provided to the humidifier (29). And,the humidifier (29) disperses the supplied tap water to the second airstream, whereby the second air stream is humidified.

In the dehumidification/cooling operation, the humidifier (29)humidifies the second air stream. As a result, the second air stream,the temperature of which has further been lowered, is supplied to theinside of the room. In addition, in the humidification operation, thehumidifier (29) humidifies the second air stream. As a result, thesecond air stream, the absolute humidity of which has further beenrisen, is supplied to the inside of the room.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As has been described above, the present invention is usefullyapplicable to humidity controller apparatuses for providing roomdehumidification or humidification.

1. A humidity controller apparatus which is selectively switchablebetween a dehumidification operation for dehumidifying a supply of airto a room, and a humidification/heating operation for humidifying andheating a supply of air to the room, the humidity controller apparatuscomprising: a first passage (21) along which a first air stream flowstowards the inside of the room; a second passage (22) along which asecond air stream flows towards the outside of the room; a humiditycontrol part (23), provided with an adsorbent which is contactable withthe first and second air streams, for causing heat exchange and moistureexchange between the first and second air streams, the humidity controlpart (23) being configured such that the amount of heat exchange betweenthe first and second air streams and the amount of moisture exchangebetween the first and second air streams are adjustable; and heatingmeans (25) for heating the second air stream which is sent to thehumidity control part (23); wherein switching between thedehumidification operation and the humidification/heating operation ismade by adjustment to the amount of heat exchange and the amount ofmoisture exchange in the humidity control part (23).
 2. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the humidity control part (23),provided with a rotationally-driven adsorption rotor (24) which has asurface on which is supported an adsorbent and which is disposed so asto extend over both the first passage (21) and the second passage (22),is configured such that the amount of heat exchange and the amount ofmoisture exchange are adjusted by making changes in the rotational speedof the adsorption rotor (24); and the rotational speed of the adsorptionrotor (24) during the humidification/heading operation is set higherthan that during the dehumidification operation.
 3. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the heating means (25) heatsthe second air stream to form a temperature distribution therein sothat, in the adsorption rotor (24) extending across the second passage(22), a terminal end portion of the adsorption rotor (24) in therotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24) comes into contact witha part of the second air stream having a higher temperature than a partof the second air stream which a leading end portion of the adsorptionrotor (24) comes into contact with.
 4. The humidity controller apparatusof claim 1 comprising: a sensible heat exchanger for effecting heatexchange between the first air stream after passage through the humiditycontrol part (23) and the second air stream before subjected to heatingby the heating means (25).
 5. The humidity controller apparatus of claim4 wherein: a rotating rotor (26) which is rotationally driven isprovided as a sensible heat exchanger; the rotating rotor (26) being sodisposed as to extend over both the first passage (21) and the secondpassage (22); and the rotating rotor (26) absorbing heat from either oneof the first and second air streams and then giving off the heat to theother of the first and second air streams.
 6. The humidity controllerapparatus of claim 4 wherein: a heat exchange member (27), in which flowpaths for the first air stream and flow paths for the second air streamare alternately formed in a large number for mutual heat exchangebetween the first and second streams flowing through the respective flowpaths, is provided as a sensible heat exchanger.
 7. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the rotating rotor (26) isrotationally driven during the dehumidification operation but is stoppedduring the humidification/heating operation.
 8. The humidity controllerapparatus of claim 4 wherein: an exhaust passage (30), for discharge ofa portion of the second air stream after passage through the sensibleheat exchanger but before subjected to heating by the heating means(25), is connected to the second passage (22).
 9. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the heating means (25) is soconfigured as to heat the second air stream by mixing into the secondair stream a heating gas higher in temperature and absolute humiditythan the second air stream.
 10. The humidity controller apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein: the heating means (25) mixes into the second air streaman exhaust gas emitted from an electric power generator (40) as aheating gas.
 11. A humidity controller apparatus which is selectivelyswitchable between a dehumidification/cooling operation fordehumidifying and cooling a supply of air to a room, and ahumidification operation for humidifying a supply of air to the room,the humidity controller apparatus comprising: a first passage (21) alongwhich a first air stream flows towards the outside of the room; a secondpassage (22) along which a second air stream flows towards the inside ofthe room; a humidity control part (23), provided with an adsorbent whichis contactable with the first and second air streams, for causing heatexchange and moisture exchange between the first and second air streams,the humidity control part (23) being configured such that the amount ofheat exchange between the first and second air streams and the amount ofmoisture exchange between the first and second air streams areadjustable; and heating means (25) which heats the second air streamwhich is sent to the humidity control part (23) during thehumidification operation, and which stops heating the second air streamduring the dehumidification/cooling operation; wherein switching betweenthe dehumidification/cooling operation and the humidification operationis made by adjustment to the amount of heat exchange and the amount ofmoisture exchange in the humidity control part (23).
 12. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the humidity control part(23), provided with a rotationally-driven adsorption rotor (24) whichhas a surface on which is supported an adsorbent and which is disposedso as to extend over both the first passage (21) and the second passage(22), is configured such that the amount of heat exchange and the amountof moisture exchange are adjusted by making changes in the rotationalspeed of the adsorption rotor (24); and the rotational speed of theadsorption rotor (24) during the dehumidification/cooling operation isset higher than that during the humidification operation.
 13. Thehumidity controller apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the heating means(25) heats the second air stream to form a temperature distributiontherein so that, in the adsorption rotor (24) extending across thesecond passage (22), a terminal end portion of the adsorption rotor (24)in the rotating direction of the adsorption rotor (24) comes intocontact with a part of the second air stream having a higher temperaturethan a part of the second air stream which a leading end portion of theadsorption rotor (24) comes into contact with.
 14. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 11 comprising: a sensible heat exchangerfor effecting heat exchange between the first air stream after passagethrough the humidity control part (23) and the second air stream beforesubjected to heating by the heating means (25).
 15. The humiditycontroller apparatus of claim 14 wherein: a rotating rotor (26) which isrotationally driven is provided as a sensible heat exchanger; therotating rotor (26) being so disposed as to extend over both the firstpassage (21) and the second passage (22); and the rotating rotor (26)absorbing heat from either one of the first and second air streams andthen giving off the heat to the other of the first and second airstreams.
 16. The humidity controller apparatus of claim 14 wherein: aheat exchange member (27), in which flow paths for the first air streamand flow paths for the second air stream are alternately formed in alarge number for mutual heat exchange between the first and secondstreams flowing through the respective flow paths, is provided as asensible heat exchanger.
 17. The humidity controller apparatus of claim14 wherein: the heating means (25) is so configured as to heat thesecond air stream by heat exchange, in the sensible heat exchanger,between the first air stream heated by mixing-in of a heating gas havinga higher temperature than the second air stream, and the second airstream.
 18. The humidity controller apparatus of claim 17 wherein: theheating means (25) mixes into the first air stream an exhaust gasemitted from an electric power generator (40) as a heating gas.